The board recognizes the need for substitute teachers. Substitute teachers shall be licensed to teach in Iowa.

It shall be the responsibility of the building principal to maintain a list of substitute teachers who may be called upon to replace regular contract licensed employees. Individuals whose names do not appear on this list will not be employed as a substitute without specific approval of the superintendent. It shall be the responsibility of the building principal to fill absences with substitute teachers immediately.

Substitute teachers will be paid a per diem rate.  The board will approve the substitute pay rate annually.  Substitutes employed for more than 10 consecutive days in the same position shall be paid based upon qualifications and experience.  Substitute licensed employees are expected to perform the same duties as the licensed employees.  

Legal Reference:  Iowa Association of School Boards v. PERB, 400 N.W.2d 571 (Iowa 1987).
                                      Iowa Code §§ 20.1, .4(5), .9; 256.
                                      281 I.A.C. 12.4.

I.C. Iowa Code                                      Description
Iowa Code § 20                                     Collective Bargaining
Iowa code § 256                                    Dept. of Education

I.A.C. Iowa Administrative Code           Description
281 I.A.C. 12.4                                     School Personnel

Case Law                                             Description
IASB v. PERB                                      400 N.W.2d 571 (Iowa 1987)

Cross References:  405.01  Licensed Employee Defined
                                         405.02  Licensed Employee Qualifications, Recruitment, Selection

Approved: 3/21/2016, 8/16/2021, 11/17/2025
Reviewed: 10/20/2025
Revised: 10/20/2025

The board may employ education associates or other instructional support personnel to assist licensed personnel in nonteaching duties, including, but not limited to:

• managing and maintaining records, materials and equipment;
• attending to the physical needs of children; and
• performing other limited services to support teaching duties when such duties are determined and directed by the teacher.

Education associates who hold a teaching certificate are compensated at the rate of pay established for their position as an education associate. It is the responsibility of the principal to supervise education associates.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3, .14.
                                      281 I.A.C. 12.4(9); .5(9).

I.C. Iowa Code                                      Description
Iowa Code § 279.8                                Directors - General Rules - Bonds of Employees
Iowa Code § 280.14                              Uniform School Requirements - Administrators
Iowa Code § 280.3                                Education Program - Attendance Center Requirements

I.A.C. Iowa Administrative Code           Description
281 I.A.C. 12.4                                     School Personnel
281 I.A.C. 12.5                                     General Accreditation Standards - Education Program

Cross References:  411.02  Classified Employee Qualifications, Recruitment, Selection

Approved: 3/21/2016, 8/16/2021, 7/21/2025
Reviewed: 7/1/2025
Revised: 7/1/2025